Andi Dawson

BA Psychology - Mental Health, Class of 2014

"I have managed to be on the Dean's List consistently throughout my college career, and I will be graduating with honors."

I worked in accounts receivable, credit analysis and collections for 14 years and never really enjoyed it. I landed in the profession, working my way up from a customer service job I had in my early 20's. It paid the bills. I had quit college the first time around in order to work two jobs. When the company I was working for closed in 2010, I found myself out of a job and looking for a new one. I got to thinking about how much I hated what I did for a living. I decided it was a good time to go back to school and get a degree that I could use to help people since that is what I have always truly wanted to do.

I chose to major in psychology and received my associate degree from in 2012, then decided to transfer my credits to SNHU for my BA in Psychology with a focus in mental health. A lot of people told me I was crazy, and I would never be able to switch careers and get a degree with five kids at home and working full-time.

I'm very stubborn and have this annoying habit of doing whatever people tell me I can't do. Not only did I get a degree, but I will have my second degree this summer. Just to prove everyone even more wrong, I have managed to be on the Dean's List consistently throughout my college career, and I will be graduating with honors and have been invited to become a member of Psi Chi. I must say I have really surprised myself!

I am looking forward to starting a brand new career at forty! I'm not sure where this road will lead me, but I know I have a choice as to which forks I take, and I am so glad I finally decided to take a different fork back.